Day 1

Arrive in CalgaryArrive in Calgary, a cosmopolitan city affectionately nicknamed “Cowtown,” where you’ll be met by your tour director. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy a welcome drink. The balance of the day is at your leisure. International Hotel Calgary

Day 2

Calgary/Drumheller/CalgaryThis morning, enjoy an introductory city tour of Calgary, a city which manages to balance the modern with traditional pioneer charm. After your introductory tour, travel to the Badlands where you’ll visit Horsethief Canyon, travel along the Dinosaur Trail, and stop at Horsethief Canyon and Hoodoos. Later, visit the Royal Tyrell Paleontology Museum, Canada’s only museum which is dedicated exclusively to paleontology and is home to one of the world’s largest displays of dinosaurs. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. (B,D)

Day 3

Calgary/Brooks/LethbridgeAfter breakfast, visit the Dinosaurs Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This park is famous for being one of the richest dinosaur fossil sites in the world. Within the park exists the badlands, prairie grasslands, and riverside cottonwoods. After a guided tour of the park, travel to Lethbridge with beautiful scenery along the way. Coast Hotel (B)

Day 4

Lethbridge/Fort Macleod/Pincher CreekThis morning, visit Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Indigenous people used this buffalo jump for 5,500 years by driving buffalo off the high cliff. Afterwards, the buffalo carcass was taken tot he camp at the foot of the hills where the buffalo’s hide might be used for clothing or shelter and its bones for making tools. Continue to a Hutterite Colony, where you’ll learn more about their communal lifestyle. Enjoy a family-style lunch at the Colony and afterwards, continue to your hotel in Pincher Creek. Heritage Inn (B,L)

Day 5

Pincher Creek/Waterton/Pincher CreekToday, explore Waterton Lakes where the prairies meet the Canadian Rockies. This area is known for its stunning scenery from mountain vistas to rushing waterfalls. Begin your visit with a boat tour. The afternoon is at leisure to continue exploring Waterton Lakes. (B)

Day 6

Waterton/Radium Hot SpringsTravel to Radium Springs, passing Crowsnest Pass and Cranbrook along the way. The balance of the day is at your leisure. Prestige Inn (B)

Day 7

Radium Hot Springs/Lake LouiseThis morning, travel to the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies where you’ll visit Yoho National Park, which was named “Yoho” for the Cree expression of wonder and awe. Stop at picturesque Emerald Lake and Spiral Tunnel View Point where you just might catch the trains entering or exiting the tunnels. Visit charming Lake Louise and then continue to Banff for an orientation tour. The balance of the day is at leisure. You may consider an optional Banff Gondola Ride to Sulfur Mountain. Lake Louise Inn (B)

Day 8

Banff/Icefields/BanffToday, drive on the Icefield Parkways and stop at Petyo and Herbert Lakes where you can enjoy idyllic views. Board the snow coach and explore the Columbia Icefields. This evening, enjoy a Western-style farewell dinner at the Wild Bill Saloon. You’ll have the opportunity to meet a Mountie, ask questions and even take a photo! (B,D)

Day 9

Banff/Depart CalgaryTransfer to the airport in Calgary for your return flight. (B)

Nights 7-8

Trip Preparation

Your departure flights from the New York to Calgary and back are on WestJet. We recommend that you check-in 3 ½ hours before departure.

Los Angeles (LAX) Flights: All departure dates will leave LAX at 8:45AM and return to LAX at 4:20PM.New York (JFK) Flights: All departure dates will leave JFK at 6:00PM and return to JFK at 5:15PM.

Please make sure to allow sufficient time for clearing immigration and customs if you are planning a connecting flight. We recommend at least 3 ½ hours. Please keep in mind that flight schedules are always subject to change.

ADVANCE SEAT ASSIGNMENT

WestJet does not assign seats in advance. Seat assignment can only be arranged upon check – in at the airport.

PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION

You must be in possession of a passport valid for the entire duration of your stay in Canada. All visitors are required by the Canadian immigration authorities to have a minimum of one blank visa entry page in their passport. Insufficient pages in the passport normally results in denied boarding or denial of entry upon arrival and the person is likely to be detained pending return to their country of origin. Visas are not required for American passport holders for stays of less than 180 days. Non U.S. citizens should check with the respective consulates as to the most current visa requirements to all their travel destinations. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip. For more information about entry and exit requirements, please visit travel.state.gov.

TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS

Your airline tickets along with final instructions and additional travel tips will be sent to you 7 – 10 days before the scheduled departure of your tour. Please make sure to advise us in case your address changes.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Currently, there are no immunization requirements for Canada. All travelers should be up to date on routine vaccinations. As always, please consult your personal physician for any recommendations prior to travel. You may also learn more about any recommended immunizations at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

CLIMATE

Canada’s climate can vary wildly based on geography. Below, find the monthly average highs and lows by location.

Month

Calgary

Pincher Creek

Banff/Lake Louise

May

61°F/37°F

61°F/36°F

61°F/36°F

Jun.

68°F/46°F

68°F/43°F

70°F/41°F

Jul.

73°F/50°F

77°F/46°F

75°F/45°F

Aug.

75°F/48°F

75°F/46°F

75°F/45°F

Sep.

68°F/39°F

66°F/39°F

64°F/37°F

CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY

The currency in Canada is the Canadian dollar. Most shops and stores accept credit cards with Visa and MasterCard being the most popular cards. Your credit card company may charge a foreign currency transaction fee. ATMs are readily available though a fee may be charged by your bank. Please call your card company and bank prior to your trip to let them know you will be traveling and learn of any fees associated with use in Canada. It is advised that you change some money for cash transactions.

BAGGAGE

Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage (suitcase maximum 44 pounds) and one carry-on piece not to exceed 18”x10”x8”. We recommend that you do not over-pack and that you take a variety of separates with climate and comfort in mind.